Romans 10:9
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Romans 10:9
Romans 10:9 presents the classic confession of faith: if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. This verse crystallizes the essential human response to the gospel: belief in the heart, confession with the mouth. The surrounding argument emphasizes righteousness as faith, not law-keeping. The specific claim of Jesus as Lord ties to the Messiah’s authority and identity, and belief in the resurrection anchors the Christian creed in the historical event of Jesus’ victory over death. In Roman context, acknowledging Jesus as Lord was a radical shift from Caesar worship and other deities. Paul’s language makes the declaration both personal and public, ensuring that faith manifests in both inward conviction and outward profession.
This verse succinctly anchors salvation in two integrated acts: belief and confession. It affirms the central Christian creed: Jesus is Lord, and the resurrection confirms his authority and saving work. The phrase “shall be saved” points to both the present experience of forgiveness and the future hope of eternal life. The verse also highlights the biblical pattern of response: faith leads to confession, and confession is evidence of genuine belief. Theologically, it anchors soteriology in a personal acceptance of the risen Christ, not in ritual or merit.
Practically, this verse invites personal and public faith. If you’re considering faith, this is a clear invitation to believe in Jesus’ resurrection and to profess him as Lord. For believers, it calls for confession through words and deeds—neighborly love, ethical choices, and truthful speech. A concrete practice: memorize a brief confession of faith and share it in a conversation with a friend or family member who questions Christian beliefs. Another practical step: let your daily routines—work, family life, and social interactions—reflect the lordship of Jesus, demonstrating alignment between belief and behavior.
Cross-References: Romans 10:10, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Philippians 2:9-11, Colossians 2:12, Acts 16:31